DeKalb County Residents are urged to follow water restrictions to preserve water pressure for the protection of health and safety. It is very important that all citizens adhere to these restrictions.

Level Four Drought Declaration

On September 28, 2007, the Director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) issued a level four drought declaration for several counties in North Georgia including DeKalb County. On February 11, 2008, the Director of the EPD modified the water use restrictions under level four drought declaration.

The following exemptions apply to the modified level four drought declaration:

E91-3-30-.05 Exemptions

(1) This rule shall not apply to the following outdoor water uses:

1. Capture and re-use of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with applicable local ordinances.
2. Re-use of gray water in compliance with applicable local ordinances.

(2) The following established landscape water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

1. Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater.
2. Irrigation of personal food gardens.
3. Effective immediately, each household, business, institution, or property owner will be allowed to use one garden hose, 25 minutes per day, during designated days to water plants only, existing lawns are not included:



• The hose must be hand held during watering and equipped with a standard spray nozzle that automatically turns off when you let go of it.
• Even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m.
• Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m.

(3) Effective April 1, 2008, newly installed landscaping may be watered using an irrigation systems 3 days per week for 10 weeks following installation with the following requirements:

1. By any person who has registered with the Outdoor Water Use Registration Program at http://www.urbanagcouncil.com.
2. Even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m.
3. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m.

(4) The following golf course out door water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedule of this rule:

1. Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater.
2. Irrigation of fairways during times of non-drought and Declared Drought Response Level One.
3. Irrigation of tees during times of non-drought and Declared Drought Response Levels One, Two, and Three.
4. Irrigation of greens.

(5) The following commercial outdoor water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

1. Professionally certified or licensed landscapers, golf course contractors, and sports turf landscapers:  during installation and 30 days following only.  Professional landscapers must be certified or licensed for commercial exemptions to apply.
2. Irrigation contractors:  during installation and as needed for proper maintenance and adjustments only.
3. Sod producers.
4. Ornamental growers.
5. Fruit and vegetable growers.
6. Retail garden centers.
7. Hydro-seeding.
8. Power-washing.
9. Construction sites.
10. Producers of food and fiber.
11. Car washes.
12. Other activities essential to daily business.
13. Watering-in of pesticides and herbicides on turf.

(6) Pools

1. Effective April 1, 2008, existing and new public and private indoor and outdoor swimming pools will be permitted to open and be topped off as necessary for maintenance.
2. However, we encourage our citizens to reduce the amount of water they use in swimming pools. For additional information on how you can reduce the amount of water used in your pool, click HERE.

The Board of Natural Resources adopted Rules for Outdoor Water Use, Chapter 391-3-30 in May 2004. Under the rules, Georgians are required to follow schedules for outdoor water use during both non-drought periods and during periods of declared drought. The rules are consistent with Section 4 (Drought Responses) of the Georgia Drought Management Plan, which the Board adopted in 2003.

The rules apply to any entity, and its customers, permitted by EPD for water withdrawal or for the operation of a public drinking water supply system.

For more information, please call the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management at 770-270-6243 or visit the Georgia Environmental Protection Division website at www.gaepd.org.

THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING ENFORCEMENT

Water Citation Inspectors will be dispatched during this restricted period. Watering violations should be reported to the Department of Watershed Management at 770-270-6243. The current enforcement was adopted by the Board Of Commissioners on November 13, 2007.  It is as follows:

   Enforcement Process

1^st Offense - Written Warning.

2^nd Offense - $250.00 fine.

3^rd Offense - $500.00 fine.

4^th Offense - $1000.00 fine, jail time, and termination of water service.